Govt broadens scope of inquiry into books scam Jangveer Singh Tribune News Service Chandigarh, June 13 The state government has broadened the scope of inquiry into the alleged Education Department scam by bringing it under the ambit of the Commission of Inquiries Act, 1952. Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had on May 27 ordered a probe by Justice (retd) AN Jindal into the "irregularities" in the purchase and supply of library books and science kits. The inquiry was to be completed in three months. However, instead of conducting a full-fledged inquiry under the Commission of Inquiries Act, 1952, Higher Education Secretary Anjali Bhawra had issued an office order in this regard. The officer reports to Education Minister Sikander Singh Maluka who is in the eye of a storm because of his role in appointing purchase committees. The government had earlier claimed that the committee formed under Bhawra would yield quick results because only documents had to be examined. It now seems to have had a change of heart. The Secretary, Home, DS Bains, has issued orders bringing the inquiry under the ambit of the Commission of Inquiries Act, 1952. Now any individual can approach the committee and demand to be heard. Bains said there was no need for Cabinet approval for appointing a committee under the Act. The terms and conditions would be determined by the Education Department, he said. The opposition Congress has been claiming that the terms of reference specified by the Secretary, Higher Education, deliberately did not include the name of the Education Minister. It was alleged this was done to bail out Maluka and make a scapegoat of department officials. Justice Jindal yet to start work Sources said Justice Jindal was yet to start work, even after a fortnight of his appointment, even as a central probe team had already examined all documents pertaining to the case in the past two days. Bains said such inquiries took time to start. He said Justice Jindal was yet to be given an office and staff.
Posted on: Fri, 14 Jun 2013 02:58:39 +0000
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